Lithgow City Council can assist Council’s tenants who have been financially impacted by COVID-19.

If you wish to apply for rent relief please contact Council’s property officer by email at council@lithgow.nsw.gov.au.

Lithgow City Council wishes to advise residents of the reopening of many recreational facilities within the local LGA, in line with advice from the NSW Health.

From 15 May 2020, Public Health Order restrictions in NSW were eased for gatherings of people. From this date, the restrictions allow gatherings of up to 10 people. Additionally, outdoor equipment can now be used as long as appropriate caution is taken.

Lithgow City Council will be reopening those recreational and community assets where it can be reasonably expected that the public can easily comply with social distancing restrictions. Those restrictions still require that people keep a distance of 1.5 metres from others, and the maximum of one person per four-square metre rule can be followed.

Over the coming days, Lithgow City Council will reopen the following facilities for public use:

• Campgrounds;
• Parks;
• Reserves;
• Skate parks;
• Public BBQs; and
• Sports grounds.

Other assets that are currently open for use include:

• Golf courses;
• Tennis courts;
• Playgrounds;
• Fitness equipment; and
• Dog parks.

The JM Robson Aquatic Centre and community halls remain closed to the general public at this time.

The health of the Lithgow community remains of utmost importance to Lithgow City Council. While a tighter regime of cleansing and sanitation has been implemented for those assets permitted to reopen, residents are advised that strict adherence to the requirements of the Public Health Order remains mandatory. Social distancing must be practiced during any use of these facilities.

Council takes advice on all public health matters from the State and Federal health departments and may need to update its response should the situation change.

Over 1700 businesses have responded to the Premier’s call to help supply medical equipment and hygiene products to essential services workers.

Suppliers have registered to provide a range of personal protective equipment (PPE) products, including hand sanitiser, handwash and soap, gloves, disinfectant, gowns, masks, eyewear and paper products.

Industry buyers such as industry associations, businesses, local governments, private healthcare providers and not-for-profit organisations are encouraged to use the PPE supplier list for industry to secure supplies needed for safe and robust operations in your local communities.

The list has over 200 suppliers who have indicated they can service personal protective equipment (PPE) needs through business-to-business transactions. You can search for suppliers by postcode or suppliers’ service areas.

The PPE supplier list can be accessed here - https://buy.nsw.gov.au/news/2020/covid-19-emergency-supplies-portal

Advice has been received from the Office of Local Government that paves the way for the re-opening of Council owned Golf Courses and Tennis Courts. 

In response to clarification of the current Public Health Orders sought by Councils on the status of council operated and owned outdoor recreational facilities, including tennis courts and golf courses, the Office of Local Government issued advice on Tuesday evening that such facilities may be re-opened subject to social distancing rules.

While premises used for the purpose of indoor recreational facilities must close, outdoor recreational facilities, unless specifically prohibited within the Order, can remain open, provided persons using the facility adhere to the orders around social distancing and public gatherings.

Outdoor facilities that are still prohibited in the Public Health Order and must remain closed include public swimming pools, outdoor playground or gym equipment and skate parks.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister reinforced the message for everyone to stay at home for Easter to maintain the effort against the COVID-19 pandemic. Lake Wallace remains closed for camping although the Public Health Order has been updated.

Lake Wallace campground was closed for overnight camping effective from 26 March 2020. Overnight stays and camping at any other sites is also not permitted. There are very limited exceptions to the closure order.

Under the amendments to the Public Health Order, caravan parks and campgrounds are to be closed except to accommodate:

• permanent residents of the caravan park or camping ground
• overnight travellers
• persons working in the local area
• other persons who have no other place of permanent residence or whose primary place of residence is temporarily unavailable and,
• visitors who are visiting those who meet the above criteria.

Council is closely monitoring campers staying overnight at Lake Wallace with daily inspections to ensure that there is compliance with the amended Public Health Order. Council is also working with police who are responsible for enforcing compliance with the Public Health Order.

Based on advice and instructions from the State and Federal government, Council will update its COVID-19 response should circumstances change.

Lithgow Mayor Ray Thompson called on all communities in the Lithgow LGA to continue to support the very competent initiatives that the Federal and State Governments have put in place to protect us as they navigate the current COVID – 19 emergency.

“We need all politicians and community members to unite behind what is proving to be an extremely competent response to the difficulties faced by our current government, and to avoid divisive actions that may disrupt the strategies that are in place” said Mayor Thomson.

“The Governments strategies focusing on

• protecting employees, the unemployed and most vulnerable in our community ,
• Protecting our businesses,
• social distancing,
• arranging partnerships with private hospitals to access 34000 more hospital beds and more qualified nursing staff, and
• Rental assistance to residential and commercial tenant

are the most targeted and welcomed strategies that I have witnessed in my political career, and deserve the support of all politicians and community members as this crisis unfolds” said the Mayor.

“For our part, we must support these strategies by staying at home where possible and maintaining the social distancing guidelines that have been mandated,” said the Mayor